Professional communication skills have a significant impact on dental patient satisfaction and health outcomes. Communication skills training has been shown to improve the communication skills of dental students. Therefore, strengthening communication skills training in dental education shows promise for improving dental patient satisfaction and outcomes. The aim of this study was to facilitate the development of dental communication skills training through a scoping review with compilation of a list of considerations, design of an example curriculum, and consideration of barriers and facilitators to adoption of such training. A search to identify studies of communication skills training interventions and programs was conducted. Search queries were run in three databases using both text strings and controlled terms (MeSH), yielding 1,833 unique articles. Of these, 35 were full-text reviewed, and 17 were included in the final synthesis. Considerations presented in the articles were compiled into 15 considerations. These considerations were grouped into four themes: the value of communication skills training, the role of instructors, the importance of accounting for diversity, and the structure of communication skills training. An example curriculum reflective of these considerations is presented, and consideration of potential barriers and facilitators to implementation are discussed. Application and evaluation of these considerations are recommended in order to support and inform future communication skills training development.

and 2015. All adult patients who were discharged home from the ED with a diagnosis of pneumonia were included. Severity of pneumonia was graded based on the CRB-65 score as per the CAP guidelines. Primary outcome was type of antibiotic prescribed by the ED physician. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. Results: There were a total of 141 patients analyzed during the study period (N = 46 in 2013, N = 59 in 2014, N = 36 in 2015). Demographics and relevant comorbidities were similar across the years: age (2013: median = 53 years, range 20-92 years; 2014: 56, 21-83; 2015: 54, 20-81); preexisting lung disease (30%, 27%, 25% respectively); HIV positive status (9%, 7%, 17%). CRB-65 score was: low risk (0 points) = 70% in 2013, 66% in 2014, 75% in 2015; intermediate risk (1-2 points) = 30%, 34%, 25%; high risk (3-4 points) = 0% in all years. Percentage of patients discharged home with a documented prescription was 83%, 85%, and 94% respectively. In 2013, patients received azithromycin (AZM) (n = 17, 43% of antibiotic prescriptions that year); levofloxacin (LVX) (n = 10, 25%); AMC (n = 5, 13%); clarithromycin (CLR) (n = 5, 13%); trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) (n = 2, 5%); doxycycline (DOX) (n = 1, 3%). In 2014: AMC (n = 26, 51%); AZM (n = 12, 24%); LVX (n = 9, 18%); CLR (n = 2, 4%); DOX (n = 1, 2%); erythromycin (ERY) (n = 1, 2%). In 2015: AMC (n = 17, 47%); AZM (n = 12, 33%); LVX (n = 4, 11%); CLR (n = 1, 3%); SXT (n = 1, 3%); DOX (n = 1, 3%). Number of return ED visits within 2 weeks were: n = 16 (35%); n = 11 (19%); and n = 10 (28%) respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study show that there has been a change in antibiotic prescribing practices in the SMH ED since dissemination of the CAP guidelines, with AMC accounting for nearly half of antibiotic prescriptions. Further antimicrobial stewardship efforts will focus on evaluating factors influencing prescribing practices.